Greenpeace, a titan in the environmental movement with a legacy spanning over five decades, finds itself in turbulent waters as it awaits a juror's decision on a lawsuit that could deeply impact its future. Known for audacious protests from confronting whalers at sea to hanging banners at iconic sites, the organization now faces claims that could amount to $300 million in damages.
The lawsuit stems from Greenpeace's involvement in the protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, where activists alleged that the project threatened Indigenous lands. The pipeline's owner, Energy Transfer, argues that Greenpeace facilitated illegal actions and engaged in a campaign that financially hurt the company.
In this critical juncture, Greenpeace maintains that its participation was minimal and peaceful, asserting that the lawsuit is an insidious move aimed at stifling free speech across the nation. With a jury's verdict anticipated in the coming days, Greenpeace's fate—and by extension, its U.S. operations—hangs in the balance.
